Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-17
DUEL BETWEEN TWO sTORKs.
A Farmer with q Gun Terminates
the Battfe-Base Conduct OF
Hen BIRD.

TO which storks when deprived OF their
mates are supposed to spend the re-
mainder of their lives in solitary grief,
mourning over the loss of the departed
one, has Just received rude shock.
According to the following account, OF
which the truth is vouched for, it would
appear that the female stork is just as
liable to err from the paths of virtue
as the remainder of her sex. For
several years past q couple OF
storks had been in the habit OF
spending the summer months in q COM
Portable nest which they had laborious-
ly constructed on the gable end of a
barn which formed part of farm not
far from Buda-Pesth. They used to
arrive in the early spring, hatch the
regular number of eggs, and, after
spending the hot days of July and Au-
gust in educating their young, would all
fly off to warmer climes on the approach
of winter. Last summer they arrived
as usual, and after time began to de-
vote all their energies to Matching the
eggs. When the hen bird was not
sitting the husband would gravely take
her place, carefully spreading himself
in such manner as to cover all
the unborn olive branches of the
family. One day, however, just
about the time when the lit
tie ones were about to make their en-
try into the world, great noise was
heard on the roof of the barn. Look
ing upward the farmer perceived that a
new male stork of unusual size and
BEAUTY had made his arrival and was
engaged in warm discussion with tho
couple established in the nest. Clap
per, clspper, clapper went the long
bills feathers began to be rufiled and
at length, aroused by some terribly in
sulting expression on the part Of the
stranger, the male bird issued forth
from his nest and began pitched bat
tie in defence Of bis honor and home.
The duel lasted for long time, and
the battle waxed fast and furious. Gu
riously enough, the hen bird did
not attempt to take the slight
est part in the combat. She showed
some evidences of excitement, occa-
sionally stood up in her nest and made
some remarks with her bill and wings
in stork language, and then sat down
again upon her eggs. When the sun
went down the strange stOrk flew
away, both of the, combatants covered
with blood. The hen bird received her
lord and master with all the signs OF q
most exaggerated affection, and ap-
peared to congratulate him on his gal
liant conduct. The next morning, how
ever, the stranger reappeared, and re-
commenced the battle of the day before.
Thoroughly exasperated against the in
truder, the farmer got out his gun, and,
forgetful of the superstition which
exists against killing a stork. fired
at the strange bird. Sad TO re-
late, instead of killing the latter,
the husband stork fell lifeless to
the ground. Curiously enough, the
sound Of the gun did not appear to
create the least impression on the re-
naming birds. The hen stork did not
make the slightest attempt to continue
the struggle or to take to flight. She
remained quietly sitting in her nest,
the stranger standing at some distance
off. Gradually he began to edge along
the ridge of the roof toward the nest,
and when he got quite close thereto the
hen likewise arose and stood upright.
For more than an hour they remained
standing next to one another engaged
in the most eager discussion. AT
length they seemed to have come
to an understanding. After mo-
ment's pause they suddenly hop
rcd into the nest, and, working
iike very furies, they united their efforts
in throwing the whole of the eggs out
of il on to the ground below. AS soon
as they had completed this work oil
destruction, they both appeared to be
slightly overcome. and for about ten
minutes remained standing perfectly
still, each on one leg, their bills resting
on each others shoulders. at length
they simultaneously flew up into the
cir, and after circling round few times
disappeared out of sight.
1t may be only coincidence, but with
in few weeks OF the above fight moi
only the barn, but large portion oil
the farm was destroyed by fire, entail
ing a heavy loss on the proprietor.